This Site Chosen By Microsoft As THE Afghan Web Link for Encarta Saluki Gazelle Hound Database and Breed Information Exchange

SALUKI (GAZELLE HOUND) BREED NOTES

NEW FCI STANDARD - SALUKI NOTES: WEEK ENDING 20th February 1998

There has been considerable concern about the FCI’s decision to alter the standard for the Saluki. The following is a copy of an electronic letter that was sent to us from Rickard Salander in Sweden: ‘I do not know if this newsletter has reached you earlier but it´s contents is important for preservation of the European Saluki as we now know it. Beside having this newsletter, we have also started an internet campaign with a Homepage at http://hem2.passagen.se/coursing.

We would like to have as many people as possible join the campaign so the message to the FCI becomes loud and clear. Please visit the site and make your point clear in the forum for debate. If you want to join the campaign, e-mail the sites webmaster to get a link to the Homepage.’

NEWSLETTER FROM THE SWEDISH SIGHTHOUND CLUB AND THE SWEDISH SALUKI CLUB To FCI:s Sighthound Commision, SKK, the Nordic Kennel Clubs and the Nordic Sighthound Clubs. Subject: FCI has authorised a new standard for the Saluki. We question the following aspects of this activity: 1.The correctness of depriving UK of their patronage. 2.The formal method of handling the decision making process. We are really astonished that the standard committee of FCI may take such an important decision without committing the document for a pronouncement procedure of the other member countries. We have had the procedure described for us and we are lacking all reasonable feeling for democracy in it. 3. The new standard approved by FCI also contains a number of serious defects. Someone has had the impudence to make major alterations of the appearance of this ancient breed. We all have a cultural and social heritage to administer. The Saluki breed must be preserved as it always has been, not changed in an easy-going manner. The standard should be left alone rather than meddled with by a few people, just to provide for their very personal preferences. We suggest that FCI resumes the old standard and reinstalls UK as patronage. If any change should be authorised it must be processed in a democratic way which includes all National Kennel Clubs and their Saluki organisations. It is our very strong opinion that the decision to change the standard of a breed that is much older than 4000 years needs substantial time for debating and must not be sneaked into use. We also want to stress the point that the KPH, which is the top decision taking authority within the Swedish Kennel Club, did decide not to ratify the new FCI standard. The new standard will not be used in Sweden in any shows until further notice. The President of the Swedish Kennel Club certified on 18.11.97 that the Board of the Kennel Club has enacted, in all detailed aspects, the decision taken by the KPH. The Board regards the way of handling this matter of standard as very serious. The Swedish Kennel Club has the intention to discuss this question with the FCI. We suggest that other organisations on all levels within FCI will: (1) Take up the same attitude or will redraft their attitude with the purpose to have the matter discussed at the next meeting, with the Commission of the FCI’s Sighthounds at the end of November 1997. (2) Urge their own Kennel Clubs to act in our way in this matter. We invite all persons with international contacts, formal or informal to change this situation without any compromise.’

Michael Williams (101547.503@compuserve.com)

GoTo SALUKI HOMEPAGE